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WWDC 2026: Apple is Folding

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Re: WWDC 2026: Apple is Folding

#51

Post by jjice »

brk wrote: post #18
rafram wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Current foldables are fragile, require a built-in plastic screen protector, and have a visible crease. Apple is very unlikely to be willing to accept those compromises. We'll see, but I think their entry into the field will change things.

15 years ago, I would agree that Apple might not have been willing to accept those kinds of issues. I'm not sure about the Apple of today. That is not a slight against any Apple leadership, but I do feel that, for a variety of reasons, the level of minimum QC has notched back a bit in the pursuit of marketshare.

Apple fumbled on QC with software this past year, but have they with hardware? I've found their hardware (both computer and physical builds) has been very high quality still.

Re: WWDC 2026: Apple is Folding

#55

Post by layer8 »

HumblyTossed wrote: post #44

I wonder how they'll address the crease. My guess is one of two ways. Not address it at all. Or tell you that you don't see what you really see.

They'll likely use what Samsung showcased at CES in January (https://www.sammobile.com/news/samsung-crease-less-foldable-...), or something very close to it.

Re: WWDC 2026: Apple is Folding

#56

Post by _the_inflator »

rjh29 wrote: post #10

I've gone all the way around and came back. The Samsung Fold was awesome and convenient. But carrying an ipad mini and a phone is not that big a deal. It's quite nice that the ipad mini does not have whatsapp or SMS plugged into it, so I can use it exclusively for reading books or playing music. The cost of the iPad Mini + my phone was like $600 and the folds - even the 6th gen and above - are super unreliable, so ri…

iPad mini is awesome for reading however, it took forever until Apple powered it up.

Personally, as someone being used to the Motorola Razor foldable, which happened to present back then. It was really good and cool as well. I hated the ever smaller getting Ericson smartphones.

I am looking forward to Apple's copy of Samsungs foldable smartphones. After all, I don't want to carry an iPhone as well as an iPad mini around with me.

And I see the foldable more as a replacement for the iPhone ultra max phones. No matter how large the screensize they have, they never beat the iPad mini on readability, even being stuck with the old one for many years.

Re: WWDC 2026: Apple is Folding

#58

Post by HumblyTossed »

xattt wrote: post #20
stevenhubertron wrote: post #12

For me at least the screen size isn’t the limiting factor the lack of a keyboard is. I don’t know why I’d choose this device over a Neo or Air + non-folding phone.

Mentions of the resizable iOS apps seem to signal a desktop dock mode, which ties into your concern. We know Apple is bringing a folding iPhone through manufacturing leaks. A desktop mode is less likely to be leaked, since it would be mostly software and (a lot) less reliant on third parties.

> a desktop dock mode

This needs to come to ALL iPhones. You plug in a usb c cable to your monitor and bang, iPad Neo.

But Apple being Apple will software block it...

Re: WWDC 2026: Apple is Folding

#60

Post by Jnr »

game_the0ry wrote: post #40

Not a fan of foldables, if I am honest. Just a personal opinion. I do not like the it feels in the pocket bc the device needs to double its thickness when folding over. When a mobile device manufacturer (samsung, hauwei, now apple) makes a foldable, I get the impression they're running out of ideas with the "slate" form factor and are trying to stimulate sales. Personally, I would want that R&D spend and innovation t…

Perhaps Apple is also running out of ideas.
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